The UTEP men’s basketball team’s most obvious path to victory over Tarleton, one that promised a descent, was clear.
The Miners came into play first in the country on 355 division teams to force turnovers; the Texans got there first by giving the ball away the most.
UTEP’s greatest strength against Tarleton’s greatest weakness was indeed the difference in a Victory 67-62 Monday evening this brought UTEP’s record to 7-3. Tarleton fell to 3-9 in a return to the Don Haskins Center for coach Billy Gillispie, who coached UTEP from 2002-04.
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Tarleton’s 18 turnovers were actually two fewer than his average, but the Miners gained points on those turnovers 24-11, which was enough to keep them in the lead throughout.
The Texans closed to within 61-59 in the final minute, but with 35 seconds left, Corey Camper drove the lane and fired a call to the goalie that kept the Miners in front. Otis Frazier had a block and rebound at the other end to keep the lead at four.
Frazier finally put it away with free throws with 0.7 seconds left. Frazier scored 187 points to lead UTEP on 8 of 8 free throws. Camper scored 11 and Ahamad Bynum scored 10.
Tarleton outscored UTEP 49-42%, so turnovers were the difference that allowed the Miners to attempt six more field goals.
Miners lead by 9 at halftime
UTEP gained points on 15-3 turnovers in the first half, which accounted for the 32-23 lead the Miners took into the locker room.
UTEP made its first three 3-point attempts as it built a 17-4 lead, although Tarleton responded with the next eight points and held on for the remainder of the first half. Corey Camper led the Miners with nine points in the first half.
Due to 11 turnovers forced by UTEP in the first half, the Miners made six additional shot attempts, allowing them to take a lead despite shooting only 44-42%.
To be continued
The UTEP men continue their home swing when the Don Haskins Center hosts the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational this weekend. UTEP’s first game is Friday at the scheduled 7 p.m. against Jackson State. Earlier today, Akron and Yale tip off at 5 p.m., so UTEP’s start time will almost certainly be later than 7 p.m.
The UTEP game will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article was originally published on El Paso Times: UTEP men’s basketball holds off Tarleton State
